MOSCOW, March 18, 2015 (AFP) - Russia on Wednesday condemned Ukraine for ratifying two bills on greater autonomy for the rebel-held east, saying they "grossly violated" a fragile peace deal to end almost a year of fighting.

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that the adoption of the legislation by Ukraine's parliament "in essence rewrites the agreements, or more simply put, grossly violates them" despite Kiev arguing it is in line with the peace deal.